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Valley of the Hunted (Frelance & Kikora)

Teyha shook her head firmly, "No, you will lean on me whenever you can. You did say I'd be your partner in this, that we can trust each other, and I will hold you to those words. There is a long road ahead of us, and we'll need each other." She reminded him firmly. "You'll have to trust me if you expect me to trust you. In two days I'll do my rounds, but I will be back. If that's while you're taking the castle than I have to be here. I can get a few from the rebellion to assist, and I can ensure that my judgement of you is correct..." She paused for a moment, and reached out to cup his chin very lightly. "Do not worry about me, I'm not human either... Not really. I have magic."

Kaura found herself openly staring after the man as he stood to leave. Hastily she rose as well, setting four copper on her own table before she moved right behind Merk. He mounted his horse without a glance back at her, and she leaped onto one of the roofs of the broken down houses. Her speed and agility made following Merk an easy task, and she watched him from above, staying hidden expertly... Trying to discover exactly what was going on with the slave dealing.
 
Ross groaned as she started talking about trust. "Teyha, I do trust you and you can trust me. I just can't protect you if you are here when I take the castle." He sat up and looked down at her. "Its not your pain. Its mine and i should be the one to carry it not you." He smiled down at her and ran his fingers along her neck. "I know you have your magic and the help from the rebellion would be great but I want you to be safe."

Merk pushed his horse as fast as he could and only stopped when he got to the castle gates. He spoke with the guards and once he pulled out the necklace they moved aside for him. Once inside he got together a group of his riders and told them to Ride out and escort the slavers to a clearing that was close to the castle but far enough away that they would have privacy. Once They rode out of the castle gates he made his way to Ross's rooms. He knew that before he left he would have to tell Teyha and Ophelie the message but that would not take long.
 
Teyha frowned at his groan, crossing her arms. "It is trust, trust of my abilities." She told him firmly. "I am a powerful witch, I can protect myself." She told him firmly, her jaw set stubbornly, telling him that she would not leave him alone. "I will be fine... And do you think the village would be safe? Really? The moment word gets out that there is a revolt the rebellion will rise and flood the castle, guards will try to stop them. No where will be safe. So why not be at your side?"

Kaura couldn't move any further than the gates. She watched helplessly as the slaves were led in, unable to do anything to help any of them. "Janek..." She whispered, knowing his mind was closed to her. "I wish I had your advice now." Her eyes closed, and she frowned in worry before finally turning away to retreat back to the woods. For now there was nothing she could do but tend to the villagers. Until Janek was open to her once again she was nothing more than another hunter.
 
Merks riders turned the slavers around and escorted them to a clearing out side the Castle walls. Once they were their they started to look over the slaves that were in the wagons. They knew what Ross was looking for and as they waited for his arrival they started to separate the slaves into groups. There were a few riders patrolling the perimeter but they were not all that attentive.

Ross tried to think of a good argument but it was useless. He was going to loose. “If you come back here when I take over you will be the first one they target.” He reached out and caressed her cheek. “I can’t let you get hurt Teyha. I would not be able to live with myself if I lose you.” He moved over the bed and sat on the edge as he slipped into his pants. “ I won’t be abl-” He stopped talking as he heard a knock at the door. “Come in.”
Merk opened the door to Ross’s room and seeing that he was not in there he walked to the open door that attached the two rooms. He wasjust turning the corner as Ross walked out of the doors and stopped him. “The slavers are here. I sent my men out to bring them to a clearing near here.”

Ross nodded and turned back towards Teyha. “It’s time to go to work.” He turned back to Merk. “Is there any other news?” Merk nodded. “Yes I found the Elf. Kaura, she was at the inn in town. So knows who I work for and has asked if I will help gather food for the villagers.” Ross walked to his wardrobe and pulled out a plain white shirt and slipped it on as he listened. He pulled out a thick dark traveling cloak. It would protect him from most of the suns rays as he rode. “Ok go and get three horses ready. We will leave in a moment.” Merk wanted to ask why three but he just turned and left the room.
 
Teyha wanted to correct him sharply about her importance when there was a loud knock on Ross' door. She turned to look towards his room, and squeaked when he told the intruder to come in. She ducked quickly under the sheets, only poking her head out of he corner to watch as he discussed matters with the human. She waite there patiently until Merk was dismissed, and pulled herself from the bed.

She yanked the cover off the bed and wrapped it tightly around herself before moving to the dresser as well, pulling out an outfit almost identical to the one that now lay across the room, either bunched up and wrinkled or torn completely to shreds. "If no one knows I am important to you than I am just another human." She told Ross, awkwardly dressing while covered in the blanket. "I'm a rebel you are paying special attention to for information, nothing more. And Ross... I don't meanto be callous, but we can't afford for you to take my life too seriously because I remind you of someone you care for.... Too many people are in danger should this fail for you top put my life as priority."
 
Ross waited in his room as Teyha dressed. He was looking at the map on the wall as he listened to her speak. "Lets hope they still believe that. They know me quite well so we might not be that lucky." He walked back the the doors between the rooms and leaned against the door frame. He expression darkened as she spoke but he knew she was right. "Look, I don't know how many vampires will follow me so we could be facing the whole population or only half. Just make sure you and whoever you bring knows that." He waited until she was dressed before he walked back into his room and got out a bag full of gold coins. After he slipped it into the cloak he turned back to Teyha. "We should get going." He walked to the door and waited for her.
 
Teyha finished buttoning up the shirt, and let the blanket fall away to her waist while she slung the pants and undergarments over her shoulder. "We'll have to act like nothing happened." Teyha told him, fully intending to do so either way. She even went back to her bag to pull out a package of dried flowers with deep blue buds. She crushed them between her fingers, and rubbed the scent back behind her ears and down the hem of her shirt as modestly as she could manage. She washed the remains of her and Ross' union out from between her thighs with her back to Ross, dabbing with the cloth until she knew she was clean. Satisfied she set the washcloth back in the basin and selected her favorite toilet water, scented sweetly with vanilla and an exotic flower she could not name, to rub into her skin. Only after she was done did she pull on the last of her garments, lace her boots, and pull a cloak from the rack to drape around her tiny form. "Just a bit of prevention." She explained as she walked to him. "You kind had sharp noses, I could not leave smelling like your skunk or they would now quite well what we were doing in this room." She smiled shyly, and looked down and away. "Yeah... We should leave now." She agreed belatedly and turned to move quickly to the door, pausing only to snag the brush from by the water basin to attack the tangled mop of hair on her head on the way to the slaves. Dressed like a stable-hand or not, she wanted to make at least a decent impression.
 
Ross waited until Teyha had a brush before opening the door. "I don't know what you are talking about, Teyha." He smiled at her then walked out of the room. He waited for her to follow him before he made his way to the court yard of the castle. By now the other vampires either gave Teyha a sort glance or ignored her altogether. They were used to see her with Ross whenever he went anywhere.
 
Teyha stayed close to Ross' side as usual, attacking the curly mess of hair with the brush until she managed to remove most of the tangles. "I should start tying this back." She said to herself, thoroughly annoyed by the amount of time it took to calm the waves of curls. Really, it was more a distraction technique than anything, she tucked away the brush several times only to pull it free and set to work once more. The repetitive task kept her mind off the fact they were going to see slavers, or whatever role she was assuming with the vampires now. "When we get back can I have something to eat?" She questioned, shooting Ross a slightly lopsided nervous grin. "I know we can't stop now, but your feeding has me fairly hungry."
 
Ross stopped himself from telling Teyha that she looked fine. He knew that he had to pretend that she was nothing more than a prisoner. He saw Merk bringing the horses across the court yard as Ross stopped just inside the doorway. He looked down to see the sunlight just inches away from his feet. He pulled on the hood of his cloak and looked at Teyha. "If you need food, you can run to the kitchen and get some. Merk will take a few minutes until he had the horses ready." He thought for a second then added. "Come to think of it. It might help if we bring some food along. I know Merks riders will have brought some but I think more will be better."
 
Teyha paused and nodded. "Alright, I'll be back in a few minutes then." She told him, pausing only long enough to carefully adjust his cloak to keep the suns rays out. "I need to invent a spell to keep the rays from touching you..." She said, half to herself, before turning away to move to the kitchen. Once there she ordered several platters of thinly sliced meats, cheese, vegetables, and bread to be brought out. For herself she took a thicker slab of juicy meat, nicely cooked with the same vegetables, and chopped it into small bite sized pieces to eat on the way back.

"Come now." She urged the servants, leading them back to the courtyard. She knew the slaves would be hungry, and hoped the more extravagant meal would help sway their minds to join their side.
 
Ross smiled and let his fingers gently caress Teyha's fingers as she adjusted his cloak. "Be quick." He shook his head as she spoke of creating a spell to protect him. He watched her until she was out of his sight.

"Merk!" Ross walked over to him and started helping get the horses ready. Merk had been watching Ross and Teyha as they came out of the castle. "My, Lord I have news of the hunter. Kaura the one that you showed to me. She was in the town tavern, she knows that I work for you but she still wants our my help to feed the villagers." Ross looked around quickly then back to Merk. "I want you to help her as much as you can and do not mention her to anyone else." Merk nodded. "As you wish." He hesitated then after looking around to make sure no one was close enough to hear him. "She has a message for the healer and her friend." Ross's eyebrows rose at this. "Then tell Teyha after we leave the Castle and she can pass it on to Ophelie when we get back." Merk nodded then finished getting the horses ready.

Ross turned to see Teyha walking back out into the courtyard. He mounted his horse and led one to Teyha. "You do remember I don't eat your food often right?" He knew that Teyha must have some reason for the extravagance of the food she brought.
 
Teyha reached the horses a few moments after he and Merk finished talking, and she smiled brightly at the vampire as she mounted her own animal. "I know." She laughed as she settled into the saddle. She paused a moment to give Merk a nod and waved timidly, letting him know she knew he was there before turning back to Ross once. The servants waited below, carrying the heavy platters as easily as if they were weightless. Other carried jugs of drinks and goblets to enjoy them in. Chilled water and milk, as well as delightfully spiced ciders. Nothing that would cloud the mind, their decision to join or not shouldn't be influenced by drinks.

The witch gestured to the food with a grin, and winked at Ross. "You don't know how to deal with people." She observed in a tease. "It's easy, if we feed these people gruel they will assume that their life here will be little different from what they are leaving behind. But we don't want abused slaves, we want loyal subjects, so this is a promise of what is to come, the wealth and prosperity of a healthy valley. It will make them feel appreciated, and set up an expectation for you as a leader, powerful but caring."
 
Ross laughed and looked at the food again. "Well it definitely looks like it." Merk nodded back as he tightened his saddle. He did no what Ross was doing keeping Teyha around. He had seen the way she had adjusted his robe to protect him which was odd since he thought she would want him to get hurt. He mounted his horse and rode up next to Ross. "We don't have enough horses ready for all of them." Ross nodded to Merk. "Its fine Merk. We don't have to go far and it will be easier for them to walk than ride with those platters."

Ross looked to Teyha and smirked. "I know how to deal with people." He let his fangs show as he widened his smile. "All you have to do is pierce and drain." He laughed then pulled his hood down lower. "Lets go. I can't stay out here for to long without more blood." He started forward at an easy pace, he wasn't about to make the servants work harder than they had to. He waited until they were out side of the castle gate before speaking again. "You are right Teyha and I am positive I made the right choice. You know better than anyone what kind of leader this valley needs." Merk listened intently but said nothing.
 
Teyha rode clumsily, but still managed to flash Ross a bright smile at his joke. Still, there was a truth to it, she knew. The still bright red marks marring her neck more than proved the efficiency of his bite in getting what he wanted. But if it was so simple as biting someone to gain their allegiance then surely the other vampires would have done so long ago.

They reached the outside yard, and Teyha glanced over at Ross seriously. "This valley needs a leader, what we have are tyrants." She corrected softly, her eyes sweeping over the huts that littered the space only a few miles outside the palace walls. Her home, or her former home, she wasn't sure of her place anymore. "I will do what I can to make the Valley a pleasant place. It will be a long job though..." She smiled once more, and looked past Ross to the man riding by this side, giving him another brief smile. "I'm sorry, I don't think I introduced myself." She apologized with a nervous laugh. "I am Teyha, It is good to meet you."
 
Ross followed her gaze then nodded. "Your right. That will change, just a few more days and it will begin." He had planned for so long but everything was changing. If there was one thing that he knew he had to get used to were changes but Teyha had surprised him more than anyone could have. "I will make this Valley the center of the next empire. We have all the time me need."

Merk looked at Teyha as she addressed him. He knew she was a witch be even so all he could see was a young girl. Merk smiled coolly. "Oh, I know all about you Teyha." A glance from Ross and Merks smiled softened. "I am Merk. I am Ross's right hand man... or I was until we came here." He shared a glance with Ross then back to Teyha. "I have a message from Kaura. She wants you to know that you are missed, you and Opehlie." He looked to Ross then bowed his head slightly. "I meant no disrespect with my comment Sir." Ross reached across and squeezed Merk's shoulder. "You are just as important as Teyha or Kat. I need everyone if this is going to work."
 
Teyha gave Mark a reassuring nod as well, her joyful expression fading into one of serious thoughtfulness. "You are Ross' right hand man." She told the other rider. "All of us have a job to do here, and if Ross didn't trust you completely he wouldn't have given you the important job of interacting directly with the villagers." She leaned a bit closer to Ross, and poked him playfully in the side, a wide grin spreading across her face. "Me... I think my job is mostly to babysit him." Teyha teased.

Still grinning she looked back at Merk. "I will tell Ophelie... And please tell Kaura not to worry, I am safe, and will keep Ophelie safe."
 
Both Ross and Merk laughed at Teyha's comment. "Yes I do trust Merk." Merk shook his head. "He also knows that I am the best for the job. If he sent Kat out she would not get anywhere." Ross laughed at Merk then looked over at Teyha and smiled. "If anyone is a babysitter its me young one. Anyway, I need both of you to help me think like you do. Its been a long time since I had to think like a moral." He gestured behind them to the servants with the platers of food. "I had not thought of food until you mentioned that you needed to eat."

"I will pass on your message. But it will not be easy to convince her." Merk knew he would not be able to convince Kaura but he would do his best.
 
Teyha's brief experience with Kat was enough to make her laugh nervously, and she rubbed the back of her neck. No doubt Kat would be less than pleased to meet her, after the way she ruined the intimacy between her and Ross, and worst took her place when the mood was shattered... She had no doubt that she was not one of her favorite people. She was surprised that Ross wasn't still upset with her after her interference.

"It's just been a while since you've had to consider these things." Teyha murmured with a shrug. "Food, water, medicine, things humans need..." She paused then, a look crossing her face briefly and she turned back to the castle to stare at the window of their shared room. "I forgot my medicine bag!" She groaned. "I hope no one needs medicine... I would have to revisit them later."
 
Ross noticed her discomfort and laughed. "She will get over it Kat is very good at adapting to change." He had no doubt that Kat would not be happy but she would eventually get used to the idea.

Merk rode a head and turned his horse around so that he was on Teyha's other side. "Where is you bag? I can ride back and get it for you. It wont take me much time." It would be better than watching her attempt to ride and he hated riding slowly. Ross reached out and patted Her shoulder. "You can trust Merk."
 
Ross noticed her discomfort and laughed. "She will get over it Kat is very good at adapting to change." He had no doubt that Kat would not be happy but she would eventually get used to the idea.

Merk rode a head and turned his horse around so that he was on Teyha's other side. "Where is you bag? I can ride back and get it for you. It wont take me much time." It would be better than watching her attempt to ride and he hated riding slowly. Ross reached out and patted Her shoulder. "You can trust Merk."
 
Teyha nodded slowly, but still looked nervous about the situation, her eyes darting shyly to Ross' before dropping to the ground once more. She perked quickly at Merk's suggestion, and nodded, "I know I can trust him." She told Ross with a chuckle. "You wouldn't employ him if he wasn't trustworthy." Turning in her saddle once more, Teyha gestured back to the window. "My room." She said, still imagining the distinct difference between her domain and the vampire beside her. "It should be near the washstand, it has whatever supplies I've managed to gather since the hospital was..." She glanced at Ross then, her expression blank. "Damaged."
 
"I will meet you at the clearing. Don't worry about those people. The slavers may be horrible people but they will not let there slaves die. If they did that then they would not make a living." Me rode off back to the castle without another word.

Ross was silent as he remembered the day he burnt down Teyha's home. He was regretting it now but she had pushed him to far. He looked at Teyha. "If I could I would take back what I did. I should not have ordered it burnt down."
 
Teyha was quiet for a few long moments, her hands tight on the reigns. "It's not your fault." She said after a moment. "Janek told me to spit on you." She said, almost too soft for him to hear, certainly too soft for any of the slaves to understand. "The elders wanted you to think I was at the center of everything. That you would kill me the second I spit, and it would be the end of it."
 
Ross looked over at her and smiled slightly. "Well I am glad to hear that it was not your idea." He thought over what she had said again as he tried to gain insight into how the elders thought. "To bad for them that they do not know Merth or Vikki well. They are both to paranoid to accept that it was just you three." He looked back up the road and pointed to a slight opening that was just coming into view around a slight bend in the road. "Thats where we are going. But anyway Merth sees patterns quite well and has already connected events that have happened through out the Valley so would not have been convinced especially since there has been more um, incidents that have happened after I took you two in."
 
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